Ruth Huffaker Beard

A Kingsport native, Ruth Huffaker Beard, 85, died on May 25 at 10 a.m. at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center with multiple myeloma.

Ruth was born on March 14, 1923, to Winifred Billie Moyers Huffaker and John Eugene Huffaker at Kingsport, TN. She was preceded in death by her parents and a great-grandson, Adrian Joseph Johnson.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Bramlet L. Beard; two daughters, Kathryn Beard Kays and husband Von, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Snoqualmie, WA, and Eileen Beard Johnson, Kingsport; a son, Les Beard and wife Loralee, Grayson, GA; seven grandchildren, Dr. Alexis Kays Leonard and husband Derek, Maple Valley, WA, Captain Adrian Huffaker Kays, Qatar, UAE, Nathan Adrian Johnson and wife Nina, Amherst, NY, Meghan Beard Schroder and husband David, Grayson, GA, Taryn Beard Barnett and husband Madison, Grayson, GA, Bert Beard and wife Crystal, Nashville, TN, and Alexander Beard at Vanderbilt University; five great-grandchildren, Blake Schroder, Emilia Johnson, Hayden Barnett, and twins Evan and Greta Leonard; a sister, Sarah Huffaker Simpson, Kingsport; cousins Charles Smith and wife Dusty, Convent Station, NJ, Harold Huffaker and wife Joanne, Knoxville, TN.

A long-time member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church, Ruth taught Sunday School in the children's division for many years. She served on the Official Board, was a past-president of the Crusade Class, and sang in the Sanctuary Choir and the Sounds of Joy Choir.

Ruth was a member of Kingsport's first Girl Scout troop. An enthusiastic volunteer in her community, she was the leader of Girl Scout Troop 189 for seven years. Most of the girls earned the Curved Bar before the troop disbanded.

She sang in Kingsport's Community Chorus and later was a member of Kingsport Symphony Chorus when it was formed. She served as president of the Kingsport Women's Symphony Committee and president of Rossmoor Music Association in Cranberry, NJ.

Upon returning to Kingsport, Ruth served on the board of Kingsport Community Concert Association. She enjoyed her volunteer work with the Auxiliary of Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center, serving as president of the Hospital Auxiliary, and was a life-time member of that group.

She served as president of Republican Women's Club of Greater Kingsport and she was a board member of the Sullivan County Republican Party. She was a past member and officer of P.E.O. Chapter V.

Ruth and Bramlet thoroughly enjoyed dancing, and belonged to several dinner-dance clubs in this area. When they moved to Baysmont Independent Living, they started a line dance group there.

Ruth requested cremation.

A celebration of life and memorial service will be held at First Broad Street United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 31, at 2 p.m., with Rev. Clark Jenkins officiating. Immediately following the service, visitation with the family will be held in the Parlor.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Building Fund at First Broad Street United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 1346, Kingsport, TN 37662.